Green Power Incentives
A number of local, state and federal incentives are available for installing on-site renewable generation systems. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on the status of local, state, and federal programs and incentives promoting renewable energy, including information on financial incentives, net metering policies, and awareness and investment programs.
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. In some situations, green power qualifies for LEED points under the program requirements.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grants Office provides some funding opportunities. A large part of EPA's mission to protect the environment and public health is accomplished by awarding grants and cooperative agreements. This Web site provides information on the grant application process, applicable requirements, as well as a list of current grant opportunities.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Inventions and Innovation (I&I) program offers financial and technical support to inventors and businesses for promising energy-saving concepts and technologies.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) works with business, industry, universities, and others to increase the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. One way EERE encourages the growth of these technologies is by offering financial assistance opportunities for their development and demonstration.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) issues solicitations inviting small businesses to apply for SBIR/STTR Phase I grants. Grant applications submitted by small businesses must respond to a specific technical topic and subtopic during an open solicitation. The Web site contains information on these topic/subtopic areas, which include energy production (fossil, nuclear, renewable, and fusion energy), energy use (in buildings, vehicles, and industry), fundamental energy sciences (materials, life, environmental, and computational sciences, and nuclear and high energy physics), environmental management, and nuclear nonproliferation.
Smart Community Network includes a number of resources, both financial and technical, that focus on community sustainability development.